The LGBTQ+ Representation At The Dallas Art Fair

Entering its 17th year, The Dallas Art Fair has never been bigger. As one of the largest art fairs in the South and Southwest, this year’s edition will include over 90 exhibitors from all over the world when it takes place April 10-13 in the Dallas Arts District.

And while the Dallas Art Fair has always been a preeminent place for Texans to experience the imagination and creativity of artists in all kinds of spaces, this year there’s a particular focus on amplifying and showcasing the work of LGBTQ+ artists. Creating such an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusion feels especially important given the new realities in the state and country. 

Earlier this year there was an investigation into the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth over a temporary photography exhibition over allegations of inappropriate content. While no charges were pursued, it prompted one state representative in Tarrant County to file a bill that would charge any museum in Texas displaying “obscene or harmful material” with a civil penalty. Then there’s the fact that lawmakers are trying to tamp down on drag performances on state college campuses and further curtail LGBTQ+ rights throughout the state.

So it’s very refreshing to hear how the Dallas Art Fair is approaching their opportunity to remain a beacon for LGBTQ+ voices. That was the sentiment that Kelly Cornell, the Executive Director of the Dallas Art Fair, shared with the Texas Signal. "At this time, it's as important as ever to create space for LGBTQ artists to share their work, their stories, and their perspectives,” said Cornell. “At the Dallas Art Fair, we are committed to championing these artists, to spark a dialogue within our community and celebrate the diverse talent in our city.”

The Dallas Art Fair is more than a venue for galleries. There are going to be a series of talks, openings, studio visits and performances. This year will also feature another edition of a tour called “Queering the Fair: Celebrating the Artistic Achievements of LGBTQIA+ Artists” on Saturday. 

Leading the tour is Michael H. Dewberry, who is also the Director of the upcoming Pride Museum of Texas. Dewberry is excited for the opportunity to lead the tour again. He’s also grateful that the Dallas Art Fair considers queer representation an important theme to highlight for the weekend. “The fact that the fair is open to allowing us to be visible and seen, it really means a lot,” he told Texas Signal in an interview.

Dewberry has a packed schedule for the tour, but two of the stops will include Texas galleries. The first is the McClain Gallery (which is based in Houston) and a work from the artist duo Nick Vaughan and Jake Margolin. Profoundest Instincts of My Nature is a hand-cut road map which features the text from one of the first novels to have a lesbian protagonist in Texas.

Another stop for Dewberry’s tour is the Dallas-based gallery Keijsers Koning. They are mounting a large presentation from the artist Eli Ruhala, one of the most exciting and dynamic new artists in Texas.  

For Dewberry, the opportunity to see and showcase LGBTQ+ artists is one he does not take lightly. But he’s also simply looking forward to the chance to experience art, and to share that with the audience of the Dallas Art Fair. “Artists have this superpower: they have the ability to show us the world in a different way and to bring us together,” he noted.   

The Dallas Art Fair is running from April 10-13 at the Fashion Industry Gallery.